happy memorial day...beach bag essentials

happy memorial day, ladies! i hope many of you are beach-bound this weekend. i'll be heading up north to oklahoma for a few days at the new choctaw casino...yes, a casino in oklahoma...yes...i know. anyway, i plan to spend a lot of time at the brand new pool and spa so i broke out the old beach bag to make sure i pack the sunning essentials...

forever 21 sequin anchor bag ($10ish i think), clarins sunscreen spray oil-free spf 15 ($32), neutrogena sheer ultra-dry spf 30 ($10), softlips spf 20 ($2), ray-ban aviators ($70-$120), target ruffle eyelet bathing suit ($15 each piece)

monthly mood board: january

jeez, it feels like just yesterday that i posted my december mood board. january's is dedicated to polka dots. you guys know i love 'em...i can't believe it's taken me this long to do a mood board about them!

clockwise from left:

• floreat's scalloped dots skirt, anthropologie, $98 (thanks jenni)
• blue and white spots clutch, etsy seller chidesigns, $69
• pearl embroidered sheet set, pottery barn, $24-$129 on sale for $19-$99
• red polka dot cosmetic bag collection, jimeale, varying prices
• iphone cover, amazon, $10.99
• dancing dots gathered bandeau top swimsuit, j.crew, $78
• polka dot frill umbrella, topshop, $30
• floreat's sun dot dress, anthropologie, $148
• tintoretta's diamond dots tights, anthropologie, $28 on sale for $14.95

monthly mood board: december

wait, it's december?! oops, i'm late with my monthly mood board. sorry! anyhow, i'm obsessed with all things bright blue/teal and silver this month. why not red and green you ask? come on people, this is 2009! you can wear white after labor day and you can even decorate for christmas with blue. yes, blue.

clockwise from top left:

• medallion jewelry boxes, west elm, $49 - $79
• mirrored star tea light holders, graham and green (uk), 17.95 euros
• ew tote, marc jacobs, price not listed (it usually goes for about $900)
• watch the snow fall wall decal by threadless, blik, $40
• teal snowflake gift tags, littlepumpkinpaper on etsy, $3.50 for 15
• french rose love pillow, dedeetsyshop on etsy, $34
• soho blazer in tea, boden, $168
• sequin fingerless gloves, topshop, $32
• blue dove christmas ornaments, amazon, $14.95 for four
• petite starburst sequin dress, topshop, $135

every city girl is just a little bit country

ball jars remind me of home. my mom used to make her own pickles and relish so we always had bazillions of ball jars of all shapes and sizes floating around the house. my mother in law uses them for glassware and i love how you get so much more liquid in one fill-up. as an homage to the two moms in my life, here are just a few ways you too can be a baller...

below: this ball jar lamp by midwest finds - $14 from their etsy shop - can be filled with whatever you like (i think i'd leave it empty) and topped with a shade of your choosing. so cute!

below: another great idea from midwest finds, this ball jar soap dispenser is so anthropologie-esque and is only $10 from their etsy shop.

below: use them as candleholders for your next party. i've been told only to use tealights that already have glass around them (yes, glass in glass) because the older jars have been known to shatter from direct heat.


below: these lanterns aren't available until later this fall due to all of the press artist alyssa ettinger received for her super cool "glow" collection. i have her bookmarked in my etsy favorites so i can hopefully snag one of these translucent porcelian beauties when she finishes her next batch.

below: throw 'em in your cabinet to use for drinks. you'll be so psyched when you've realized the number of refills (read: times you have to get up from the couch) have been cut in half. my mother in law makes koozies out of lonely socks whose partners have disappeared to the great beyond. genius.


below: fill a jar with those fresh flowers you just bought from the farmer's market.


below: try your hand at canning. this website has all sorts of tips, how-to's and recipes. maybe i'll follow in my mom's footsteps and attempt some relish on a rainy day...

interested in buying some plain ol' ball jars? they're all over amazon and i've seen them on craigslist, at flea markets and garage sales. or just ask mom to pull some out of the basement for you.